Aircraft trash management system

ABSTRACT

An aircraft trash management system including a, trash bag, a trash compactor, a modified bilge drain valve and an improved control valve assembly. The trash bag has a porous bottom and non-porous sides. The bottom of the trash bag is impregnated with a non-leaching antibacterial and a leaching enzyme. The trash compactor has two chambers separated by a movable wall. One chamber is the compacting chamber and is sealable from ambient cabin pressure and the other chamber is always open to cabin pressure. The bottom of the compacting chamber is provided with an upper drain and a lower drain. The modified bilge valve provides a fluid path to the atmosphere outside the aircraft. The inventor also relates to a central valve assembly for simultaneous compacting and draining.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a trash collection receptacle and a trashcompactor particularly adapted for use in an aircraft.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Capacity of passenger aircraft has increased dramatically over the pastthirty years. It is not unusual for some airlines to be equipped tocarry a passenger load in excess of five hundred persons, whereas loadsin excess of one hundred passengers are a common occurrence, withperhaps as many as thousands of flights a day throughout this countryand the rest of the world.

While many flights are short in duration, three or four hours or less,in which only snacks may be served, many flights are of sufficientduration as to require the service of at least one meal to each of thepassengers. On other flights, for example, coast-to-coast, andinternational flights, two or more meals and/or snacks may be served.Much of the equipment used in meal service is made from paper or plasticmaterial designed to be discarded as part of the trash, together withleft over food stuffs.

On some flights, this trash is generally collected in plastic bags andstored aboard the aircraft until the flight terminates at which time thebags are removed for disposal. These bags are bulky and at the veryleast they represent an inconvenience to the crew and passengers as theybecome filled and their numbers accumulate during the course of theflight.

On lengthy flights, with large passenger loads, especially when thereare multiple servings of food, the problem does become acute, so much sothat it is not unusual for one or more of the multiple lavatories aboardto be used as rooms for the storage of the bags. This results in furtherinconvenience for those aboard the aircraft.

One solution to the trash storage problem which has been gaining inacceptance, is that of the installation of a trash compactor onboard theaircraft. To be used onboard an aircraft, however, the trash compactormust be small in size and relatively light in weight, and must meetstringent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety and airworthinessregulations, as well as airframe manufacturer and airline industryrequirements. Exemplary of trash compactors specifically designed andintended for use on aircraft are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,835,767, 3,835,769, 3,899,967, 4,070,962, 4,183,295, 4,444,099,4,620,479, 4,680,808, 4,700,623, 4,719,852, 4,729,303, and 5,465,660.Some of the prior art compactors use water pressure to effectcompacting, others use springs, air pressure, hydraulic fluid, or othermeans.

My prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,099 discloses an airborne refuse compactorin which the pressure difference between cabin pressure and outsideatmospheric pressure is utilized to energize the device and to withdraw,during compaction, the liquid content of the refuse through aself-closing valve which is part of and penetrates the wall of therefuse receptacle. The liquid is discharged into the rarefied atmosphereduring flight, where it evaporates. The receptacle employed in thecompactor is of generally rigid construction in order to conform to thecavity within the compactor and to accommodate the piston and theone-way valve. Thus the receptacles must occupy valuable space aboardthe aircraft prior to use in the compactor or be made collapsible at asignificant cost.

In addition, the compactor employs a piston or platen filling the entirecross section of the receptacle to compress the refuse within. After aseries of cycles, when the receptacle is filled the latter is removed. Asingle piston is not capable of adjusting readily to different kinds ordensities of the trash over its area with the result that there issometimes a tendency for the piston to become cocked. Moreover, thesingle piston along with its actuating structure is complicated andheavy and contributes significantly to the weight of the compactor.

My prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,808 discloses a compactor receptacle whichimproves the performance and usefulness of airborne refuse compactors.The receptacle is far less expensive to manufacture, lacks the need fora valve for the withdrawal of the liquid from the refuse, and can becollapsed completely prior to use, thus occupying very little valuablespace.

According to a preferred embodiment the receptacle consists of a bagmade from a porous fabric of a hydrophobic or non-wetting material suchas nylon and is provided with means to suspend it with the open end upin the compactor. Extended metal arms are provided adjacent the open endof the bag to facilitate insertion and removal of the bag and to guidethe sides of the opening during compaction.

The bag resists leakage of the liquid in the trash as the bag is beingfilled due to the non-wetting characteristics of the fibers, whileduring compaction the liquid will leak out of the bag and collect in thebottom of the compactor where it can be carried away so that when thebag is full and ready to be removed and discarded the trash is largelyfree of liquid thereby reducing the effort required in disposing of thetrash.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the trash bagand trash compactor of my previous patents.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved trash bag foruse in an aircraft trash compactor, an improved compactor and a newvalve for powering the compactor.

The trash bag has a four piece construction which is assembled, foldedand heat sealed. The two major pieces are made of non-porouspolyethylene and define the sides of the bag. The third piece whichforms the bottom of the polyethylene bag is perforated and covered withthe fourth piece. The fourth piece is made of high strength, controlledporosity, non-woven polypropylene which is treated with two agents priorto heat sealing it, preferably heat sealing its peripheral border or rimto the inner surface of the bottom of the bag. The agents include anon-leaching antimicrobial and a leaching enzyme. The purpose of theantimicrobial agent is to provide a barrier to disease causing bacteriawhich might otherwise exit the bag with the liquid trash as the liquidis removed during compaction. The purpose of the enzyme is to react withand break-down plaque which often builds up in the grey water line of anaircraft. The grey water line is the vacuum drain system which drainswater from sinks throughout the aircraft. Grey water is released intothe atmosphere during flight and evaporates.)

The upper portion of the bag is fabricated with tails and flaps suchthat a handle is formed for lifting the bag when it is removed from thecompactor. Tunnels are formed by two heat seals and are used to hang thebag on support arms inside the compactor. Flaps are provided at eitherend of the top of the bag to close the bag when full of compacted trashprior to removal from the compactor. Tails are tied in a knot over theflaps and form a handle to lift the bag from the compactor and carry itoff the aircraft. According to the presently preferred embodiment, thetop of the bag beneath the handle is provided with a ZIPLOCK closure.

Since the upper portion of the bag is non-porous and only the bottom isporous, all of the liquid exits the bag through the bottom which, whenused with the compactor of the invention, is adjacent the liquid exitport of the compactor.

According to the presently preferred embodiment, the bottom of the bagis heat sealed approximately one half inch from the bottom folds. Thisincreases the strength of the bag.

The compactor according to the invention is a low pressure pneumaticdevice which compacts solids and extracts and discharges liquid from thetrash. It requires no electricity, electronics or hydraulics. Two simpleplumbing connections to existing on-board systems are all that isrequired to operate the compactor. A single three position control valveis used to select off, compact, and drain modes of operation. The trashcompactor cabinet is dimensionally similar to a conventional aircraftwaste cart. However, since compaction is produced by the action ofdifferential pressure over the cross-sectional area of an internallymounted bellows, the construction is designed to withstand both thereduced internal pressure as well as large compaction forces.

The bellows is held in a non-compacted position by four coil springs andthe interior and exterior of the bellows exposed to cabin pressure. Oneend of the bellows is attached and sealed to the compactor crusherplate. The other end of the bellows is attached and sealed to thecompactor side wall which has a central opening in it. This allows cabinpressure to act on both the inner and outer bellows working areas whenthe compactor control valve is in the off position. When the compactorcontrol valve is in the compact or drain positions, cabin pressure actson the inner working area while outside atmospheric pressure acts on theouter working area of the bellows. There is one valved outlet at thebottom of the compacting chamber and another above the bottom of thechamber. The lower outlet is selectively coupled to the grey waterdisposal system of the aircraft and the upper outlet is selectivelycoupled to a modified bilge drain valve in the belly of the aircraft.

According to the invention, the modified bilge drain valve suppliespower to the compactor via differential pressure. The valve assemblyincludes a sleeve containing a plunger which is held in an open positionby a spring. Differential pressure acting across an annular areaovercomes the spring and moves the plunger to the closed position whenaltitude increases to approximately 5,000 feet, at which there isapproximately two psi difference between cabin and outside pressure.According to the invention, the plunger is hollow. The interior of theplunger is exposed to the outside atmosphere and selectively coupled tothe upper outlet of the compacting chamber.

The compactor is operated with a three position valve. When the valve ismoved from the first (off) position to the second (compact) position,the upper outlet of the compacting chamber is coupled to the interior ofthe plunger of the modified bilge drain valve. At altitude, this causesthe air inside the compacting chamber to exit the chamber to the outsideatmosphere. Due to the pressure differential between atmosphericpressure and cabin pressure, the compactor crusher plate is movedagainst the springs and compacts the trash in the bag in the compactingchamber against the opposite wall of the compactor cabinet. When thevalve is moved back to the off position the upper outlet is coupled tocabin pressure, the springs pull the plate back and the compacted trashfalls to the bottom of the bag. When the valve is moved to the third(drain) position, the bottom of the compacting chamber is coupled to theaircraft grey water system and the liquid at the bottom of the chamberis drained from the compactor.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The complete disclosures of all of the above listed patents are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one of the two major pieces of the trashreceptacle;

FIG. 2 is a transparent plan view of the bottom of the trash receptacle;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bottom of the trash receptacle,illustrating two layers;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the four pieces partially assembled;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the four pieces partially assembled;

FIG. 6 is an upside down view of the trash receptacle fully assembled;

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the receptacle fully assembled;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the flaps closed and tied;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the receptacleillustrating draw strings and ZIPLOCK closure;

FIG. 11 is a broken cross sectional view of the receptacle illustratingthe double layered bottom;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the front of the compactor of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the compactor;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the compactor;

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b illustrate the section taken along line 15-15 inFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a broken section taken along the line 16-16 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a broken section taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of a modified bilge drain valveaccording to the invention;

FIG. 19 is a section taken along line 19-19 in FIG. 18 and showing asportion of aircraft fuselage;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating all of the components of theinvention; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 20 illustrating analternate embodiment of the control valve assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1-11, a trash bag 10 according to the inventionincludes three sheets of non-porous polyethylene which is folded andheat sealed to form six sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and a bottom 24.The bottom 24 is perforated so that liquid may drain from the bag.

According to the preferred embodiment, the perforated bottom 24 iscovered with the second piece 32 made of high strength, controlledporosity, non-woven polypropylene which is treated with two agents priorto heat sealing it to the inner surface 24 of the bag 10. Second piece32 is preferably provided with a heat-sealable border 33 by which it isheat-sealed to the minor surface 24 of bag 10. The agents include anon-leaching antimicrobial and a leaching enzyme. The purpose of theantimicrobial agent is to provide a barrier to disease causing bacteriawhich might otherwise exit the bag with the liquid trash as the liquidis removed during compaction. The purpose of the enzyme is to react withand break down plaque which often builds up in the aircraft grey waterline through which the liquid trash is expelled.

The upper portion of the bag 10 is fabricated with tails and flaps suchthat a handle is formed for lifting the bag when it is removed from thecompactor. Tunnels 12 a, 14 a are formed by two heat seals and are usedto hang the bag on support arms inside the compactor described belowwith reference to FIGS. 12-17. Flaps (16 a, 18 a, 20 a, 22 a) areprovided at opposite ends of the top of the bag to close the bag whenfull of compacted trash prior to removal from the compactor. Tails (atthe top of panels 14 and 20) are tied in a knot over the flaps as shownin FIG. 9 and form a handle to lift the bag from the compactor and carryit off the aircraft.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the top of the bagbeneath the handle is provided with a ZIPLOCK closure 28, 30.

Since the upper portion of the bag is non-porous and only the bottom isporous, all of the liquid exits the bag through the bottom which, whenused with the compactor of the invention, is adjacent the liquid exitport of the compactor described in detail below with reference to FIGS.12-17. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the bottom ofthe bag is heat sealed approximately one-half inch from the bottomfolds. This increases the strength of the bag.

Turning now to FIGS. 12-17 and 20 the compactor 100 according to theinvention is a rectangular box which is substantially the same size as astandard food service cart. The box defines two compartments 102, 104separated from each other by a movable wall (crusher plate) 106 (seenbest in FIGS. 15 a, 15 b). The compartment 104 contains a bellows 108the interior of which is open to cabin atmosphere via the large opening110 on one side of the compactor and is attached to the movable wall(crusher plate) 106. A door 112 with a locking handle 114 allows accessto the compartment 102. The opening 110 is a peripheral slot {fraction(1/32)} inch wide to prevent mice or other pests associated with foodservice from entering the compartment 104.

As seen best in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, springs 116, 118 are attached tothe movable wall (crusher plate) 106 and to the side wall 120 of thecompactor. The springs hold the movable wall (crusher plate) 106 in theposition shown in the figures defining the compartment 102 dimensionedto receive the trash bags described above.

As seen best in FIGS. 16 and 20, two ports 122, 124 are located at thebottom of the compactor and in fluid communication with compartment 102.These ports are selectively coupled to the aircraft drain mast (greywater line) and modified bilge drain valve, respectively, via a controlvalve assembly 126 which is coupled by a vertical shaft (tube) 128 to aknob 130 which has a locking pin 132.

As seen best in FIG. 17, the door 112 cooperates with a sealing gasket134 which surrounds the opening to compartment 102. The door handle 114engages a latching pin 136 which is movable into and out of the latchsocket 138. The pin 136 is tapered so that as it is moved into thesocket 138 the door 112 is pressed firm against the gasket 134

Prior to discussing the operation of the compactor, the valve 200 shownin FIGS. 18 and 19 should be understood. The valve 200 has in innerannular flange 202 and an outer flange 204 which embrace the fuselage 2of an aircraft. The outer flange 204 has a throughbore 208 which is influid communication with the annular space 206 thereby providing a fluidpath from the inside of the aircraft to the outside atmosphere. A springbiased plunger 210 is movable against the spring 212 from the positionshown in the figures to a position which blocks the fluid connectionbetween the bore 208 and the annular space 206. In a state of the artbilge drain (not shown) the plunger is solid and is moved against thespring when the difference between cabin pressure and atmosphericpressure is increased as the aircraft gains altitude. When the aircraftdescends prior to landing, the valve opens and allows water whichcondensed inside the aircraft to drain. In medium sized aircraft thereare fifty to one hundred bilge drain valves on the bottom of thefuselage.

According to the invention, the plunger 210 is hollow and forms a fluidpath through an elbow joint 214. Thus, when the aircraft reachesaltitude, the bilge valve closes but the fluid path through the elbow214 remains in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere.According to the presently preferred embodiment, a threaded sleeve 216is provided and the moving parts of the valve are supplied as areplaceable cartridge accessible via the threaded sleeve.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the compactor 100 of the invention isillustrated containing a trash filled bag 10 in the compartment 104 anda schematic illustration of valve assembly 126 coupled to the ports 122,124, the modified bilge valve 200 and the grey water drain mast 4.

The valve assembly 126 has three positions. In the first “off” position,the upper port 122 is coupled to ambient cabin pressure and the lowerport 124 is closed. When the valve is moved from the first (off)position to the second (compact) position, the upper port 122 of thecompacting chamber is coupled to the elbow 214 of the modified bilgevalve 200. At altitude, this causes the air inside the compactingchamber 104 to exit the chamber to the outside atmosphere. Due to thepressure differential between atmospheric pressure and cabin pressure,the crusher plate 106 is moved against the springs 116, 118 and compactsthe trash in the bag 10 in the compacting chamber. As this is happening,liquid trash will accumulate in the bottom of the chamber 104. Theposition of the port 122 above the bottom of the chamber 104 assuresthat no liquid trash is allowed to exit through the bilge valve. Whenthe valve assembly is moved back to the off position the upper port 122is coupled to cabin pressure, the springs pull the crusher plate backand the compacted trash falls to the bottom of the bag 10. When thevalve assembly is moved to the third (drain) position, the bottom of thecompacting chamber 104 is coupled via the lower port 124 to the aircraftgrey water system 4 and the liquid at the bottom of the chamber isdrained from the compactor.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in order for the compactorto function properly, the door 112 must seal the chamber 104 from cabinpressure. This is effected by the gasket 134 shown in FIG. 17. Thenature of the gasket 134 is such that if any article of clothing or eventhe hair of the operator is between the door and the gasket, a properseal will not be made and the compactor will not operate.

An alternate control valve assembly is a rotary, four port, two positiondirection control valve. Its functions can more easily be seen andunderstood by viewing FIG. 21 which is a schematic diagram of acomparable linear four port, two position direction control valve. Thetwo valve positions and the internal porting passages are shown. Thefour ports are “cab hi”, “cab lo”, “amb”, and “dm”, as shown. The valveis detented in position 1 (off), “cab hi” is connected to “amb”, and“cab lo” and “dm” blocked. By pushing on the “manual” button the valveadvances from position 1 to position 2 and the detent changes its pointof application from detent point 1 to point 2. In position 2 (compactand drain), “cab hi” and “cab lo” are connected to “dm” and “amb” isblocked.

With the control valve assembly in position 1 (off) as shown aboveambient cabin, pressure is present inside the compactor and acts on boththe inner and outer surfaces of the compactor bellows 108. The neteffect is zero and the return springs 116, 118 hold the bellows andcrusher plate assembly 106 in the retracted (off) position. It is inthis position that the mouth of the trash bag 10 is open and is filledwith trash. Once the bag is filled the compactor door is closed andbolted. The control valve 226 is moved to Position 2 (compact anddrain). This internally blocks “amb” and opens “cab hi” and “cab lo” to“dm”. The “dm” port of the control valve assembly 226 is connected tothe drain mast plumbing of the aircraft and allows outside atmosphericpressure into the compactor cabinet. The volume between the inside ofthe compactor cabinet 100 and the outer surface of the compactor bellows108 is exposed to this outside atmospheric pressure. The differentialpressure (cabin pressure minus outside atmospheric pressure) acting overthe working area of the bellows causes the bellows to extend. Thebellows, which is attached to the crusher plate 106 drives the crusherplate which compacts the trash in the trash bag 10 against the compactorcabinet wall. As part of the compacting process, and by gravity, liquidin the trash falls to the bottom of the trash bag. The outsideatmospheric pressure present inside the compactor cabinet sucks theliquid through the porous trash bag bottom and discharges it thru theexisting aircraft gray water line to the drain mast where it isvaporized when leaving the aircraft.

After “compact and drain” functions have been completed valve position 1(off) is selected. This allows “dm” to be blocked and allows thepressure acting over the bellows outer surface to rise and become equalto the cabin pressure acting over the bellows outer surface. As thedifferential pressure acting over the working area of the bellowsapproaches zero the return springs 116, 118 retract the bellows and theattached crusher plate 106. The dry compacted trash in the trash bagfalls to the bottom of the bag.

Since the differential pressure has dropped to zero the force keepingthe door sealed becomes zero and the compactor door can be opened, theentire process can be repeated as many times as necessary to fill thetrash bag with compacted, dry trash.

The alternate embodiment of the control valve assembly is simpler indesign and construction. It is smaller, weighs less and is lessexpensive to manufacture. It is more reliable and is easier to install.It involves fewer plumbing connections and can be installed and removedquickly.

There have been described and illustrated herein an aircraft trashmanagement system including a trash bag, a trash compactor, and amodified bilge drain valve. While particular embodiments of theinvention have been described, it is not intended that the invention belimited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad inscope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yetother modifications could be made to the provided invention withoutdeviating from its spirit and scope as so claimed.

1. An aircraft trash management system, comprising: a) a trash baghaving a porous bottom; b) a compactor having a compacting chamberhaving at least one drain port, a chamber in communication with cabinpressure and a bellows driven crusher plate between the two chambers; c)a bilge drain valve providing fluid communication with atmosphericpressure; and d) valve means for selectively coupling the compactingchamber port to the bilge drain valve such that the compacting chamberis in fluid communication with atmospheric pressure.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said porous bottom of said trash bag isimpregnated with one of an antibacterial agent and a leaching enzyme. 3.The system according to claim 1, wherein: said porous bottom of saidtrash bag is impregnated with an antibacterial agent and a leachingenzyme.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: said compactingchamber has an upper drain and a lower drain, and said valve means isfor selectively coupling the upper drain to said bilge drain valve. 5.The system according to claim 4, wherein: said valve means is forselectively coupling the lower port to the grey water system of anaircraft.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: said valve meansis a three position valve having a first position coupling said upperport to cabin pressure and closing said lower port, a second positioncoupling said upper port to said bilge drain valve and closing saidlower port, and a third position coupling said lower port to the greywater system of an aircraft and closing said upper port.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein: said bilge drain valve includes a springbiased plunger having a through bore which maintains fluid communicationwith atmospheric pressure at all times.
 8. A trash bag for use in anaircraft trash management system, said trash bag comprising: anon-porous flexible side wall, and a porous bottom, such that when saidtrash bag is filled with trash and is compacted, any liquid contained inthe trash drains through said porous bottom.
 9. The trash bag accordingto claim 8, wherein: said porous bottom of said trash bag is impregnatedwith one of a non-leaching antibacterial agent and a leaching enzyme.10. The trash bag according to claim 8, wherein: said porous bottom ofsaid trash bag is impregnated with a non-leaching antibacterial agentand a leaching enzyme.
 11. The trash bag according to claim 8, wherein:said side wall is polyethylene, and said bottom is perforatedpolyethylene.
 12. The trash bag according to claim 8, wherein: saidbottom includes a sheet of non-woven polypropylene.
 13. The trash bagaccording to claim 8, wherein: said bottom is perforated polyethylenecovered with a sheet of non-woven polypropylene.
 14. The trash bagaccording to claim 13, wherein said polypropylene is impregnated withone of a non-leaching antibacterial agent and a leaching enzyme.
 15. Thetrash bag according to claim 13, wherein: said polypropylene isimpregnated with a non-leaching antibacterial agent and a leachingenzyme.
 16. The trash bag according to claim 8, wherein: said side walldefines a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled tosaid bottom and said second end being provided with closure means. 17.The trash bag according to claim 16, wherein: said closure meansincludes a drawstring.
 18. The trash bag according to claim 16, wherein:said closure means includes a ZIPLOCK closure.
 19. The trash bagaccording to claim 16, wherein: said closure means includes a pair oftails adapted to be tied together.
 20. A trash compactor for compactingtrash aboard an aircraft, said trash compactor comprising: a) acompacting chamber; b) a chamber in communication with cabin pressure;c) a crusher plate between said compacting chamber and said chamber incommunication with cabin pressure; d) an upper port for coupling saidcompacting chamber to atmospheric pressure; and e) a lower port fordraining liquid from said compacting chamber.
 21. The trash compactoraccording to claim 20, further comprising: f) valve means forselectively coupling said upper port to one of atmospheric pressure andcabin pressure.
 22. The trash compactor according to claim 21, wherein:said valve means is also for selectively coupling said lower port to afluid outlet.
 23. The trash compactor according to claim 22, wherein:said fluid outlet is the grey water system of the aircraft.
 24. Thetrash compactor according to claim 20, further comprising f) a door foraccessing said compacting chamber; and g) a sealing gasket between saiddoor and said compacting chamber, such that the trash compactor will notoperate if the seal provided by the sealing gasket is broken.
 25. Abilge drain valve for use in an aircraft, said bilge drain comprising:a) a flange for mounting the valve to the fuselage of an aircraft; b) aspring biased plunger having a throughbore; and c) a fluid connector influid communication with said throughbore, whereby said fluid connectoris always in fluid communication with atmospheric pressure via thethroughbore in said plunger.
 26. The bilge drain valve according toclaim 25, further comprising: d) a cabin side annular flange, saidannular flange providing fluid communication between the cabin and theatmosphere when said spring biased plunger is in a biased open position,fluid communication between the cabin and the atmosphere being blockedby said plunger when said plunger is moved against said spring.
 27. Anaircraft trash management system for use with the existing drain mast inan aircraft, comprising: a) a trash bag having a porous bottom; b) acompactor having a compacting chamber having at least one drain port, achamber in communication with cabin pressure and a bellows drivencrusher plate between the two chambers; and c) valve means forselectively coupling the compacting chamber port to the drain mast suchthat the compacting chamber is in fluid communication with atmosphericpressure.